This post was originally published at Novelicious.com and is now at WritingTipsOasis.com. WritingTipsOasis.com acquired Novelicious.com in June 2022.
Fire blazing, tree lights twinkling and well-loved pages turning, Christmas Eve wouldn’t be Christmas Eve without a storytelling session. Turn down the lights, switch off your devices and slip between the pages with these three ideas for celebrating Christmas like some of your favourite literary characters.
1. The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis
During tea with Mr. Tumnus, Lucy learns that it is always winter in Narnia, but never Christmas – thanks to the White Witch’s evil reign. When Father Christmas appears later in the book, however, it’s a sign that her power is weakening. Father Christmas is described as ‘so big, so glad and so real’ and instead of distributing toys, he comes bearing somewhat solemn gifts of weaponry for the upcoming battle between Good and Evil. It’s not all doom and gloom though – he also spreads cheer by providing a delicious tea for the children and Mr. and Mrs. Beaver, as well as a feast for all of the other woodland creatures.
During your reading, you can bestow toy weaponry in a sober gift-giving ceremony with your family before tucking into a feast of nice brown eggs (lightly boiled), sardines on toast, toast with honey, sugar-topped cake and, of course, turkish delight. Just like in the book.
2. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
The March family may not have had all the riches in the world, but they did have some of the most memorable and joyous sounding Christmas celebrations. For decorations, string popcorn on the Christmas tree, light candles and adorn every surface with homemade bows and foraged pine cones and holly. You can sing carols together or even put on a little play before enjoying simple homemade red currant jelly and bread.
3. Harry Potter by J. K. Rowling
Christmas at Hogwarts is always a lavish affair. The hallways are decorated with mistletoe and holly, live fairies fly around the Christmas trees and everlasting icicles are applied to the banisters of the Grand Staircase. While your icicles probably won’t be enchanted, you can still decorate your staircase and invite a few fairies to the party. Be sure to serve mead (or ginger beer for your younger guests) just like the Slug Club Christmas Party and pull crackers – in the books they contain everything from white mice to a pack of non-explodable, luminous balloons. Finally, wrap some presents similar to those received by Harry over the years; a box of dog biscuits, a 50 pence piece or a toothpick signed from the Dursleys, a wooden flute from Hagrid or a box of homemade fudge from Mrs. Weasley.
However you celebrate, we hope you have a very magical Christmas!